Bypass commitments welcome but ‘show us the money’

Release Date: 27/02/2019

The Hunter Business Chamber has welcomed the focus of the major parties on funding the long-awaited Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses and pledged to maintain pressure on future state and federal governments to deliver on their road promises in the Upper Hunter.

The Chamber welcomed today’s announcements by Labor that it would match the State government’s promise to spend $266 million to build the Muswellbrook bypass as well as committing $100 million in state funds and $250 million from federal coffers to accelerate delivery of the Singleton Bypass.

“Construction of these two long-awaited road infrastructure projects will have a transformational impact on these communities in the Upper Hunter, improving the safety and amenity of the main streets, alleviating traffic congestion and returning confidence to business that will help the local economies thrive,” Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes said.

“However, the communities of Singleton and Muswellbrook have heard promises about these roads before so it will be incumbent upon the successful local candidates in the state and federal elections to hold their parties to these important commitments.

“The Hunter Business Chamber will work with the local chambers and communities of Singleton and Muswellbrook to keep the pressure on the incoming governments for prompt delivery of both projects as promised.”

The Hunter Business Chamber called on candidates to commit to the delivery of the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses as part of its regional advocacy platform for the NSW election campaign.

“We consulted local chambers in developing our regional platform and delivery of the bypasses was considered to be far and away the most important priority for economic growth and good social outcomes in the Upper Hunter,” Mr Hawes said.

Delivery of the infrastructure pipeline is a key pillar of the NSW Business Chamber’s Keeping NSW Number 1 NSW election campaign.